How to Load a Map or DLC on Your ARK Server

Published June 8, 2026 · By Host Havoc Technical Support Team

This guide covers loading any official ARK: Survival Evolved DLC map (Ragnarok, Fjordur, Genesis, and the rest) or a custom Steam Workshop map. The fastest route is the predefined command line; a custom command line gives you more control. Before switching, run Update Server Files so the map content is present, and see how to add mods if your map needs mods.

Before you start: Changing maps starts a fresh world. Your current map's save is kept and is there again if you switch back. To preserve progress, create a backup first.

Use a predefined map (easiest)

  1. Log into the game panel and open your ARK service.
  2. Run Update Server Files if you have not recently.
  3. Open the Command Line Manager.
    Command Line Manager in the Host Havoc game panel
  4. Pick the map you want from the predefined command lines, then click Select on the right.
  5. The server restarts on the new map.

Use a custom command line

For full control over parameters, set the map yourself:

  1. In the Command Line Manager, open the Custom Commandlines tab and click New.
  2. In the Server Map field, enter the map's code from the table below. For custom Workshop maps, use the map's official name from its Steam page instead.
  3. Set any other parameters, save, and click Select.

Map codes

Use these in the Server Map field of a custom command line. The predefined dropdown sets them for you automatically.

MapServer Map code
The IslandTheIsland
The CenterTheCenter
Scorched EarthScorchedEarth_P
AberrationAberration_P
ExtinctionExtinction
Genesis Part 1Genesis
Genesis Part 2Gen2
RagnarokRagnarok
ValgueroValguero_P
Crystal IslesCrystalIsles
Lost IslandLostIsland
FjordurFjordur
AquaticaAquatica

Note: Genesis Part 2 needs more than 8 GB of RAM, so confirm your plan has the memory before loading it. Aquatica is a mod map and also requires its Steam Workshop mod installed.

Custom Workshop maps

  1. Find a map in the ARK Steam Workshop and install it like any other mod, covered in how to add mods.
    ARK Steam Workshop map page showing the official map name
  2. On the map's Steam page, find its official map name (the page lists the exact name to use).
  3. Enter that name in the Server Map field of a custom command line, save, and click Select.

Troubleshooting

If a custom map will not load (CPU at 0% while the player count shows correctly):

  1. Stop the server, click More, and run Delete Steamapps Folder Global.
  2. Run Update Server Files and wait for it to complete.
  3. Recheck that the map name matches the official name on the Steam Workshop page exactly.

If an official map fails after content was deleted, force a file validation to restore it.